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Salzburg Global Fellow Nigel Osborne Presented with the British Composer Award for Inspiration

The composer and human rights activist received his award in London on Thursday evening from Tina Ellen Lee, Opera Circus Artistic Director, who is also a Salzburg Global Fellow.Nigel Osborne speaking at Salzburg Global Seminar in 2015

Salzburg Global Fellow Nigel Osborne MBE has been presented with the British Composer Award for Inspiration in association with the Music Publishers Association.

The award is given annually as part of the British Composer Awards, in recognition of those who have provided "innovation in new music and influence and inspirational careers."

A London-based composer, Osborne has pioneered methods of using music and the creative arts to support children affected by conflict. His approach was developed during the 1992-1995 Bosnian War, and has since been implemented throughout Eastern Europe, Africa, India, and Syria.

Osborne is currently working with Lebanese non-profit organization SAWA For Development & Aid as a fieldworker assisting with their program for refugees in Lebanon and Syria.

Crispin Hunt, Chairman of the British Academy of Songwriters, Composers, and Authors, said: “The composers honored this evening are testament to the UK’s thriving and vibrant new music community. Their creations challenge the status quo, push boundaries, celebrate our rich and diverse history, inspire and innovate at every turn. They demonstrate the positive impact of music on all our lives and it is an honor for BASCA to celebrate their achievements this evening.”

On Osborne’s remarkable achievement, Salzburg Global Vice President and Chief Program Officer Clare Shine, said “This award is so richly deserved. Nigel combines huge creative talent with personal courage and determination to serve the most vulnerable people across the globe. His therapeutic work with music has broken new ground in violent and post-conflict settings. We congratulate Nigel warmly and look forward to continuing to work together on conflict transformation through culture”.

The premiere performance of Osborne's new opera, entitled Naciketa, with text by Ariel Dorfman, is due to take place at London's Queen Elizabeth Hall in the coming year. The work will be supported by Opera Circus, Bournemouth University's Animation and Computer Sciences Departments, Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, the Lighthouse Arts Centre Poole, and the Southbank Centre.